Located on a hill about three miles north east of the centre of Vientiane, the Pha That Luang is believed to preserve the relics of Buddha, a breastbone. The first temple was supposedly constructed in the 3rd century by the Indian missionaries sent by king Ashoka. In the 13th century, a Khmer temple was built at the spot and in the 16th century Pha That Luang or the Great Stupa cam up. This stupa suffered extreme damages during the Thai invasion in the 19th century but was restored to its original condition.

The stupa, today, is not only a Buddhist monument but also a reflection of Laotian nationalism. The stupa is open for visit daily between 8 in the morning till noon and then again from 1in the afternoon to 4 in the evening. Architecture
Th stupa comprises three levels, each of which conveys a part of the Buddhist doctrine.

The first level is a square which serves as the base for the monument and measures 223' x 226'. Four arched prayer gates, one on each side have stairways that connect up to the second level.

The second level is 157' along each side and is surrounded by 120 lotus petal. Seen here are 288 silimaa and 30 small stupas. The latter of the two is symbolic of 30 Buddhist perfections that start with alms-giving and end with equanimity. The next level is reached by arched gateways.

The third level, 98' along each side, has tall central stupa with brick base and at the top of it, the superstructure surrounded by lotus petals begin. The four curved sides of the spire that bears resemblance to lotus buds, depicts the growth of lotus from seed in a muddy lake to over the lake's surface. This in itself is symbolic of the shift that takes place in a human as he moves away from ignorance and approaches enlightenment.

Stylized banansa flower and parasol are seen at the top of the stupa.


Vientiane
Located on the curve in the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains is the capital city of Laos - Vientiane. The city has much of the laid back charm but along with it are a number of worthvisiting attractions. These attractions are a beautiful blend of Communist, French, and Buddhist heritages. For a visiting tourists, it is advisable to keep around a week time to explore the various attractions of Vientiane and enjoy its hospitality. Accommodation and eating out will not be a problem since the city offers an increasing number of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and food stalls.


Other Attractions

• Vangsang Cave Elephant Court : Vangsang Cave Elephant Court is ruins of a sanctuary that existed 300 years before the kingdom of Lanexang was established. Here, you can see five large pink sandstones sculptures and two huge Buddha images.
  
  
• Wat Ho Prakeo : Constructed in 1565 by King Setthathirat, when he shifted the capital of Lane Xang from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Wat Ho Prakeo served as the temple of the royal family. King Setthathirat enshrined here the famous Emerald Buddha, which he had brought with him from the Kingdom of Lanna, however the image was later taken away by the Thais.
  
  
• Wat Si Saket : The only fortunate temple that escaped the destruction caused by the Siamese in 1828, Wat Sisaket houses 6840 Buddha images and Buddhist inscriptions from the 18th century in its main hall. The main hall itself, is designed after Ho Trai.
  
  
• Wat Xieng Khouang Buddha Park : Located 24 km south of Vientiane, Wat Xieng Khouang or Garden of Statues, has sculptures of Buddha and Hindu gods.